No 3rd Gear

BrianTTT · Post by **BrianTTT** » 02 Apr 2010, 14:59

I have been getting service transmission service codes since I bought the car used. It's P1618 "Fault in lead between AW 50-52 and Motronic 4.3" and P0756 "Shift Solenoid B Performance or Stuck Off". Since the rest of the car's condition indicates neglect rather than abuse I replaced the tranny fluid and filter. Same results. No change. If I reset the codes and baby the car I can go for a while without issues. I bought the iPd tranny flush kit and was setting up for the last resort of trying to unstick the solenoid with flush fluid and a complete fluid change. When i was driving the car manually shifting it I figured out that I have no 3 gear. In drive it was over reving 2nd and hard shifting into 4th causing the codes (again if I babied it for what I now know is no 3rd it was ok and wouldn't trigger any codes). My question is could this be just a control wire issue for the B Solenoid (I have no idea where to start on this one) or is it time to roll up my sleeves and attempt my first Volvo transmission replacement. Also would a Solenoid B replacement make sense? Thanks!!

2000 S80 T6 150K miles

laddyboy · Post by **laddyboy** » 03 Jun 2010, 09:13

I've also noticed that my '99 s80 shifts from 2nd to 4th. Have you found a solution to this problem BrianTTT?

Post by **dcarlson12** » 03 Jun 2010, 11:54

Attached are some files from VADIS re gearbox functioning and solenoid replacement.

BrianTTT · Post by **BrianTTT** » 15 Jun 2010, 10:41

Sorry for no reply's. Have been traveling for work. laddyboy, no fix yet but all life points to the shifting solenoid.

Thank you dcarlson12!! It's going to be no fun but we're going to dig into it. The pdf's will help a ton. Have to figure out my Turbo Control Valve issue first. Don't have a clue as to where or what it is!

Retired MVS Contributor · Post by **Retired MVS Contributor** » 15 Jun 2010, 13:11

When you did the flush, where did you add the new fluid?...It must be added through the dipstick ONLY!!!...There is a large bolt on top of the transmission and some people think this where one adds transmission fluid...This bolt is a capture bolt for the B-4 band, which applies 3rd gear...If you removed that bolt, the B-4 band was disengaged and the only repair possible is to drop the transmission and put it right...There is no shortcut ...

Bulletin Summary: VOLVO: THE 5 SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AW55-50/51, HAS A BOLT ON TOP THAT ANCHORS THE B4 BAND, WHICH APPLIES 3RD GEAR. IF THAT BOLT IS REMOVED, THE BAND WILL BE DISENGAGED AND 3RD GEAR WILL BE INOPERATIVE.

This bolt has been changed to a 5 sided bolt (as opposed to a standard 6 sided hex) as a way of discouraging it's removal...